Exercise device for use in a doorway including resistance bands extending from slidable carriages

ABSTRACT

An exercise device for use in a doorway including resistance bands extending from slidable carriages is provided. The exercise device includes a pair of vertical rail members attachable to sides of a doorway. Each vertical rail member is slidably engageable with a carriage. Resistance bands are connectable to the carriages. The resistance bands are additionally attachable to an athletic accessory such as a hand grip, belt, or crossbar. A pull-up bar may also be attached to the exercise device, the pull-up bar capable of vibration for enhanced performance.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S.application Ser. No. 13/556,801, filed Jul. 24, 2012, the contents ofwhich are expressly incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to an exercise device. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to an exercise device foruse in a doorway, having resistance bands extending from slidablecarriages.

2. Related Art

Exercise devices and more particularly home gym devices are well knownin the art. Home gym devices for use in a doorway are also known in thefield. Often, home gym devices use the structure of a doorway or a wallas an anchor or support for the home gym device. Such a configuration isembodied in various designs generally categorized as home gym devices orhome exercise devices.

The most common type of home gym device has a structure that is anchoredto a wall or doorway. The structure often has a connecting mechanism forconnecting exercise components. Furthermore the structure often allowsfor multiple configurations. The home gym device is utilized by the userby applying a force to the structure, and the structure anchored orsupported by a wall or door frame, resisting the user's force. The forcemay be applied directly on the structure, or may be applied to anexercise component that is attached to the structure. A common exercisecomponent used for applying force to the structure is an elastic orresistance band. The elastic band can be used for numerous exercises andthe elasticity property offers the user varying degrees of resistance.

Ideally, home gym devices allow for several different configurations andprovide the user with different exercise options within the comfort oftheir home. It is desirable that the home gym device substitutes for acomplete gym made up of several different exercise devices. However, tosubstitute for a complete gym, the home gym device must be configurableto accommodate different exercises. Often the more variation provided inthe configuration of the home gym device, the larger the device is.While it is desirable to have a wide range of exercises, the home gymdevice is restricted by space limitations of the user's home.

A number of solutions have been proposed for achieving optimal exercisevariety within the space restrictions of a home. For example, a home gymdevice may include a vertical member structure, a horizontal member forsupport, a mechanism for anchoring or supporting the structure on awall, a method of configuring the structure to provide for a variety ofexercises, and exercise components such as elastic bands for applying aforce to the structure. An example is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.7,896,786 to Osbourne. The Osbourne device contemplates a structure thatrests against the wall for support. The structure is configurable toaccommodate a variety of exercises allowing a user to apply a force tothe structure in several different ways. More specifically, the user mayuse an elastic band to apply a force on the structure, the elastic bandbeing attached to the structure with a pin device or wedged between acrevice within the structure. However, configured this way, theattachment of the elastic band limits the variation of exercisespossible. Additionally, the device lacks stability as it is not anchoredto the wall or any other rigid structure.

Similar to the Osbourne device is the device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,626,546 to Little. To provide support for the structure, the Littledevice is anchored to the wall. Additionally, Little discloses aslidable elastic band attachment to increase the ease of altering theconfiguration. While the Little device is more stable and easier toconfigure than the Osbourne device, the device protrudes substantiallyfrom the wall. To better conform to the limited space of the users home,home gym devices have been contemplated that are attached to a door ordoorway. An example of which is U.S. Pat. No. 6,267,711 to Hinds. TheHinds device attaches to the face of the door and discloses a verticalrail structure with an attaching mechanism movable to fixed locationsalong the vertical rail structure. The attaching mechanism supportshorizontal bars from which a pulley system is mounted. An elastic bandattaches to the pulley system, from which a user may apply a force tothe structure. While the Hinds device better conforms to the spacerestrictions of the user's home than the Osbourne and Little devices,the device allows only for limited configuration variation as the onlyvariation results from the change of height of the horizontal bars.Furthermore, the Hinds device is not easily configured considering theelastic band for applying a force to the structure must first beattached to the pulley system and the pulley system must be attached tothe horizontal bars.

Alternatively, a number of home gym devices have been contemplated to beattached to a doorway of a user's home. As an example, U.S. Pat. No.4,772,011 to Guridi discloses vertical supports attached to verticalsides of a doorway with at least one horizontal bar spanning thedistance between the vertical supports. While the device conforms to thespace restrictions of the user's home, the device obstructs the doorwaywhen installed. Furthermore, the Guridi device is not easily configuredto attach an elastic band for applying a force to the structure, nordoes it offer a wide variety of exercises.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved exercise devicefor use in a doorway.

BRIEF SUMMARY

There is provided an exercise device for use in a doorway includingresistance bands extending from carriages. According to one aspect ofthe present invention, the exercise device for use in a doorway includesa first vertical rail member attachable to a first side of the doorway.A second vertical rail member is similarly attachable to a second sideof the doorway. A first carriage is slidably engaged with the firstvertical rail member and is sized and configured to move longitudinallyalong the first vertical rail member. A second carriage is slidablyengaged with the first vertical rail member and is sized and configuredto move longitudinally along the first vertical rail member. A thirdcarriage is slidably engaged with the second vertical rail member and issized and configured to move longitudinally along the second verticalrail member. A fourth carriage is slidably engaged with the secondvertical rail member and is sized and configured to move longitudinallyalong the second vertical rail member. A first resistance band with aprimary end and an opposing secondary end extends within and along thefirst vertical rail member and between the first and second carriages.The primary end of the first resistance band extends from the firstcarriage and the secondary end extends from the second carriage. Asecond resistance band with a primary end and an opposing secondary endextends within and along the second vertical rail member and between thethird and fourth carriages. The primary end of the second resistanceband extends from the third carriage and the secondary end extends fromthe fourth carriage.

In one embodiment of the invention the first, the second, the third andthe fourth carriages each further include a locking mechanism sized andconfigured to respectively engage with the first and second verticalrail members. The locking mechanism is operable for locking the first,the second, the third and the fourth carriages into place at a desiredlocation along the first and the second vertical rail members. It iscontemplated that each locking mechanism may be a hand wheel clamp withan engagement member.

In accordance to one aspect of the invention it is contemplated that thefirst and the second resistance bands have a constant diameter. It isfurther contemplated that the first, the second, the third, and thefourth carriages each have a resistance band channel. The resistanceband channels of the first and the second carriages are capable ofallowing passage of the first resistance band and the resistance bandchannels of the third and the fourth carriages are capable of allowingpassage of the second resistance band. The resistance band channelsbeing sized and configured to have a diameter larger than the diameterof the first and the second resistance bands.

In one embodiment of the invention the primary and secondary ends of thefirst and second resistance bands are attached to catch members forpreventing the first and the second resistance bands from becomingdisengaged with the first, the second, the third and the fourthcarriages. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the firstand second resistance bands may also have attached at their primary endand secondary end an athletic accessory. The athletic accessory may behand grip, a belt, or a crossbar. In one embodiment of the invention theprimary and secondary ends of the first and second resistance bands mayeach be attached to a catch member and the catch members may each beattached to an athletic accessory.

The exercise device for use in a doorway may further include a vibratingpull-up bar lockably attached to the first and second vertical railmembers. It is contemplated that the vibrating pull-up bar extendbetween the first and second vertical rail members in a perpendicularrelationship to the first and second vertical rail members.

A method of configuring the exercise device in a doorway is contemplatedsuch that the first vertical rail member may be fixed to the first sideof the doorway. The second vertical rail member may be fixed to thesecond side of the doorway. The first carriage may be fixed at any pointalong the first vertical rail member. The first carriage may be slidlongitudinally along the first vertical rail member and may be lockedinto place at a desired location by a locking mechanism. The secondcarriage may be fixed at any point along the first vertical rail member.The second carriage may be slid longitudinally along the first verticalrail member and may be locked into place at a desired location by alocking mechanism. The third carriage may be fixed at any point alongthe second vertical rail member. The third carriage may be slidlongitudinally along the second vertical rail member and may be lockedinto place at a desired location by a locking mechanism. The fourthcarriage may be fixed at any point along the second vertical railmember. The fourth carriage may be slid longitudinally along the secondvertical rail member and may be locked into place at a desired locationby a locking mechanism. It is also contemplated that the firstresistance band may be engaged with the first vertical rail member andthe first and second carriages. The first resistance band may extendalong the first vertical rail member and be orientated such that theprimary end extends from the first carriage and the secondary endextends from the second carriage. Similarly it is contemplated that thesecond resistance band may be engaged with the second vertical railmember and the third and fourth carriages. The second resistance bandmay extend along the second vertical rail member and be orientated suchthat the primary end extends from the third carriage and secondary endextends from the fourth carriage.

It is contemplated that the tension in the first resistance band may bemanipulated by adjusting the distance between the first and secondcarriage along the first vertical rail member. It is furthercontemplated that the tension in the second resistance band may bemanipulated by adjusting the distance between the third and fourthcarriage along the second vertical rail member. Adjusting the distancebetween the carriages may result in an elongation of the resistancebands creating tension in the resistance bands. Furthermore,manipulating the exercise device in this manner may permit new exercisesat each location the carriages are fixed. The exercise device configuredin this way offers a wide variety of exercises with minimum effort.

A method of using the exercise device in a doorway in accordance withthe described method of configuration is contemplated such that an axialforce may be applied on a primary end of at least one of the first orsecond resistance bands. The applied force may be released and reappliedin a repetitious fashion. It is contemplated that the primary end of theat least one of the first or second resistance bands may be attached toa hand grip. The hand grip employed for applying the axial force on theprimary end of the at least one of the first or second resistance bands.It is alternatively contemplated that the primary end of the at leastone of the first or second resistance bands may be attached to a belt.The belt employed for applying the axial force on the primary end of theat least one of the first or second resistance bands. Furthermore it iscontemplated that the primary end of the at least one of the first orsecond resistance bands may be attached to a crossbar. The crossbaremployed for applying the axial force on the primary end of the at leastone of the first or second resistance bands.

The present invention is best understood by reference to the followingdetailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the various embodimentsdisclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the followingdescription and drawings, in which like numbers refer to like partsthroughout, and in which;

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an exercise devicefor use in a doorway having vertical rail members, carriages, resistancebands, athletic accessories and a pull-up bar;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a vertical rail member with aU-shaped cross-section;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a carriage having an I-shapedcross-section;

FIG. 4 is a cutaway view showing a carriage having an I-shapedcross-section;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a vertical rail member having aU-shaped cross-section engaged with a carriage having an I-shapedcross-section;

FIG. 6 is cutaway view showing a vertical rail member attached to adoorway with a threaded fastener;

FIG. 7 is perspective view of a hand grip attached to a resistance band;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a belt attached to resistance bands;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a crossbar attached to resistance bands;and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of an exercisedevice for use in a doorway having vertical rail members, carriages,resistance bands, athletic accessories and a pull-up bar.

Common reference numerals are used throughout the drawings and thedetailed description to indicate the same elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appendeddrawings is intended as a description of the presently preferredembodiment of the invention, and is not intended to represent the onlyform in which the present invention may be constructed or utilized. Thedescription sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps fordeveloping and operating the invention in connection with theillustrated embodiment.

It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functionsand sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments that are alsointended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention.It is further understood that the use of relational terms such as firstand second, top and bottom, and the like are used solely to distinguishone entity from another entity without necessarily requiring or implyingany actual such relationship or order between such entities.

With reference to the perspective view of FIG. 1, a preferred embodimentof an exercise device 100 for use in a doorway 102 in accordance with anaspect of the present invention is illustrated. It is understood that adoorway 102 is generally defined by a door frame and has a first side104, a second side 106 and a header 108. The first side 104 is generallyparallel to the second side 106 and both sides are generallyperpendicular the header 108.

The exercise device 100 for use in a doorway 102 is generally comprisedof a first vertical rail member 112 attached or fixed to the first side104 of the doorway 102 and a second vertical rail member 114 attached orfixed to the second side 106 of the doorway 102. The first vertical railmember 112 and second vertical rail member 114 are in a parallelrelationship with the first side 104 of the doorway 102 and the secondside 106 of the doorway 102. While the embodiment in FIG. 1 displays thefirst vertical rail member 112 and second vertical rail member 114attached to a doorway 102, the members may also be attached to opposingwalls or any other rigid structure. The embodiment described has a firstvertical rail member 112 and second vertical rail member 114, howeverone of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that an exercisestructure employing a single vertical rail member 110 or horizontal railmembers or some combination thereof may be used in a similar way. It iscontemplated that the first vertical rail member 112 and second verticalrail member 114 may span a substantial portion of the vertical side ofthe doorway 102. It is to be understood that substantial means greaterthan fifty percent of the length of the vertical side of the doorway102.

It is contemplated that the first vertical rail member 112 is slidablyengaged with a first carriage 118 such that the first carriage 118 mayslide longitudinally along the first vertical rail member 112 but isfixed in every other direction as the first carriage 118 has only onedegree of freedom, longitudinal. It is understood that in otherembodiments the first carriage 118 may have several degrees of freedom.Additionally, a second carriage 120 may be slidably engaged with thefirst vertical rail member 112 in the same manner as the first carriage118. Similarly, a third carriage 122 and a fourth carriage 124 may beslidably engaged with the second vertical rail member 114 in the samemanner that the first carriage 118 is slidably engaged with the firstvertical rail member 112. While the present embodiment displays a totalof four carriages, it is understood that in another embodiment anynumber of carriages may be slidably engaged with either the firstvertical rail member 112 or the second vertical rail member 114.

It is contemplated that the exercise device further includes a firstresistance band 128 and a second resistance band 130. Each resistanceband 126 has a primary end 132 and a secondary end 134. In the preferredembodiment, the first resistance band 128 extends within and along thefirst vertical rail member 112. It is contemplated that the primary end132 of the first resistance band 128 extends through and from the firstcarriage 118. Similarly it is contemplated that the secondary end 134 ofthe first resistance band 128 extends through and from the secondcarriage 120. In a similar manner it is also contemplated that thesecond resistance band extends within and along the second vertical railmember 114 such that the primary end 132 extends through and from thethird carriage 122 and the secondary end 134 extends through and fromthe fourth carriage 124. In another embodiment, the resistance bands mayextend along the vertical rail members 110 without being within and mayextend from the carriages 116 without extending through. In anotherembodiment, multiple resistance bands 126 may extend within and alongeach vertical rail member 110 and through and from each carriage 116 toincrease the amount of tension provided.

In an alternative embodiment, the resistance band 126 may be fixed atthe primary end to the vertical rail member 110 and extend within andalong the vertical rail member 110, the secondary end ultimately exitingthrough and from a carriage 116 engaged with the vertical rail member110. In the preferred embodiment, the resistance band 126 is made of arubberized silicon material but it is understood that the resistanceband 126 may also be made of any material that displays the property ofelasticity, such as a spring, for example. In another embodiment,resistance bands 126 of different lengths, cross-sections, and materialmay be used. It contemplated that non-elastic bands may be used as well.

The primary end 132 and secondary end 134 of each resistance band 126may be attachable to an athletic accessory 140. The athletic accessory140 may be used by a user to apply a force on the exercise device 100via the athletic accessory 140. In FIG. 1, the primary end 132 of thefirst resistance band 128 and the primary end 132 of the secondresistance band 130 are each attached to a hand grip 142. Additionally,the secondary end 134 of the first resistance band 128 and the secondaryend 134 of the second resistance band 130 are attached to a crossbar144. It is understood that in other embodiments, the primary end 132 andsecondary end 134 of the resistance band 126 may be attached to otherathletic accessories 140 such as a belt 178. It is further understoodthat the resistance band 126 may be attached to athletic accessories notenumerated herein but known by one of ordinary skill in the art. It isalternatively contemplated that a user may use the exercise device byapplying a force directly on the primary end 132 or secondary end 134 ofthe resistance band 126.

In a preferred embodiment the athletic accessory may be attached to theresistance band 126 with a catch member 136 capable of receiving theresistance band 126 at one end and a spring loaded clip 138 at anotherend. The spring loaded clip 138 is contemplated to provide a means forattaching and removing the athletic accessory 140 with ease. It isfurther contemplated that the catch member 136 be a in the shape of thesphere being sized and configured to prevent the resistance band 126from disengaging with the carriages 116. It is to be understood that theresistance band 126 may alternatively be attached to the athleticaccessory 140 by any other means in which the athletic accessory 140 maybe attached and removed from the resistance band 126 with minimumeffort.

The exercise device 100 may be used by attaching a first vertical railmember 112 and a second vertical rail member 114 to a doorway 102. Afirst carriage 118 and second carriage 120 may be engaged with the firstvertical rail member 112. Additionally a third carriage 122 and fourthcarriage 124 may be engaged with the second vertical rail member 114.The user may slide the carriages 116 to a desired location along thevertical rail members 110 and lock the carriages 116 into place via alocking mechanism, such as a hand wheel clamp 164. The user may thenextend a first resistance band 126 along and within the first verticalrail member 112 such that the primary end 132 extends through and fromthe first carriage 118 and the secondary end 134 extends through andfrom the second carriage 120. Similarly a second resistance band 130 maybe extended within and along the second vertical rail member 114 suchthat the primary end 132 extends through and from the third carriage 122and the secondary end 134 extends through and from the fourth carriage124. A catch member 136 may be attached to the primary end 132 andsecondary end 134 of the first resistance band 128 and second resistanceband 130 such that the resistance bands 126 do not become disengagedwith the carriages 116. Configured in this manner, a user may thenmanipulate the tension in the resistance bands 126 by adjusting thedistance between the first carriage 118 and second carriage 120, and thethird carriage 122 and fourth carriage 124. It is contemplated that asthe distance between the carriages 116 is increased, the resistancebands 126 may become elongated, increasing the tension within theresistance bands 126. Locking the carriages 116 into place while theresistance bands 126 are in tension provides a means for pretensioningthe exercise device 100, allowing the user to manipulate the resistanceprovided by the exercise device 100 with minimum effort.

The user may attach athletic accessories 140 such as a hand grip 142, abelt 178, or a cross-bar 144 to the resistance bands 126 via a springloaded clip 138 attached to the catch member 136. It is also understoodthat an athletic accessory 140 may be attached by other means such as acarabiner clip, or any other means in which the athletic accessory 140can be connected and disconnected from the resistance band 126 withminimum effort. By applying an axial tensile force upon the resistanceband 126, either by pulling directly on the resistance band 126 or byemploying an athletic accessory 140, the resistance band 126 will beelongated from its original position, creating a resistant force in theopposite direction of the users force, consistent with the theory ofelasticity. The user may exercise by releasing and reapplying thetensile force in a repetitious fashion.

It is contemplated that the exercise device 100 used and configured inthe described manner may allow for unobstructed passage through thedoorway 102 dependent only upon the configuration of the athleticaccessories 140 attached. In one embodiment it is contemplated that theexercise device 100 be configured such that one athletic accessory 140is attached to one end of one resistance band 126. It is also understoodhowever that in another embodiment, one athletic accessory 140 may beattached to both the primary end 132 and secondary end 134 of oneresistance band 126. Furthermore, it is understood that one athleticaccessory 140 may be attached to one end of the first resistance band128 and additionally attached to one end of the second resistance band130. In a similar manner, it is also contemplated that the primary ends132 and secondary ends 134 of the first resistance band 128 and thesecond resistance band 130 may all be attached to the same athleticaccessory 140, joining all four ends of the two resistance bands 126together.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the vertical rails 110 of FIG. 1,and further details relating to one embodiment of the present inventionwill be discussed with additional reference thereto. According to oneaspect of the present invention, the vertical rail member 110 may have aU-shaped cross-section 148. Consistent with the U-shaped cross-section148, the vertical rail members 110 may have a protrusion 150 and a gap152 that spans the length of the vertical rail member 110. In anotherembodiment, the vertical rail member 110 may have an I-shapedcross-section or any other shaped cross-section that is engageable witha carriage 116.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the carriage 116 of FIG. 1, andfurther details relating to one embodiment of the present invention willbe discussed with additional reference thereto. According to one aspectof the present invention, the carriage 116 may have an I-shapedcross-section 158. It is contemplated that this I-shaped cross-section158 be engageable with the U-shaped cross-section 148 of the verticalrail members 110. The I-shaped cross-section 158 further includes anengagement area 160 which interacts with the protrusion 150 and gap 152of the vertical rail member 110. In FIG. 5, a preferred embodiment ofthe engagement between the U-shaped cross-section 148 of the verticalrail member 110 and the I-shaped cross-section 158 of the carriage 116is shown. It is contemplated that the engagement area 160 interact withthe protrusion 150 and gap 152 of the vertical rail member 110, suchthat carriage 116 may only have one degree of freedom. It is alsocontemplated that the a portion of the I-shaped cross-section 158 of thecarriage 116 extend beyond the U-shaped cross-section 148 of thevertical rail member 110, as seen in FIG. 5, such that a user may pushthe carriage 116 along the vertical rail member 110 by making contactwith the exposed area of the carriage 116.

In another embodiment, the carriage 116 may have a U-shapedcross-section and the vertical rail member 110 may have an I-shapedcross-section. It is also contemplated that the carriage 116 and thevertical rail member 110 may have any type of cross-section that permitsthe vertical rail member 110 to be engageable with the carriage 116 suchthat the carriage is limited to longitudinal movement only. In anotherembodiment of the invention, the vertical rail member 110 and carriage116 may interact by employing a wheel system such that the carriage 116rolls along the vertical rail member 110. It is understood that theengagement between the carriage 116 and the vertical rail member 110 maybe any arrangement such that the carriage 116 is slidable and moves withease, longitudinally along the vertical rail member 110.

In a preferred embodiment, the carriage 116 may have a locking mechanismin the form of a hand wheel clamp 164 for fixing or locking the carriage116 at a desired location along the vertical rail members 110, as seenin FIGS. 3, 4 and 5. In one embodiment of the present invention, thehand wheel clamp 164 includes an engagement member 166 that may beextended or retracted by turning the hand wheel clamp 164. It iscontemplated that an internal gear 168 exists within the carriage 116and is engaged with the hand wheel clamp 164 and the engagement member166 such that when the hand wheel clamp 164 is turned, the internal gear168 is turned and as a result the internal gear 168 extends or retractsthe engagement member 166. It is further contemplated that theengagement member 166 engage with the vertical rail member 110, and as aresult, fix or lock the carriage 116 at a desired location along thevertical rail member 110. It is understood that the fixation describedmay also be achieved by any other locking mechanisms capable of locking,fixing, wedging or pinning the carriage 116 at a desired location alongthe vertical rail member. It is understood that a locking mechanism suchas a hand wheel clamp 164 may permit the user to manipulate theconfiguration of the exercise device 100 with minimum effort. In thismanner, a wide variety of configurations combined with the selection ofdifferent athletic accessories 140 offers the user several differenttypes of exercise options. It is contemplated that the exercise device100, offering a wide variety of exercises, be a substitute for acomplete gym having several different exercise devices.

It is further contemplated that the carriages 116 have a resistance bandchannel 162 for providing a pathway for the resistance band to extendfrom the interior of the vertical rail member through the carriage 116,and ultimately exit the top of the carriage 116, as seen in FIGS. 3, 4,and 5. In a preferred embodiment, the resistance band channel 162provides an opening on the side of the carriage 116 allowing forentrance of the resistance band and gradually turns allowing theresistance band to exit the carriage at a degree orientated roughlyninety degrees from the entrance, as seen in FIG. 4. It is understoodthat the resistance band channel 162 is sized and configured to allowthe resistance band 126 to move freely within the resistance bandchannel 162. In another embodiment, the resistance band channel may takeany shape and path that provides a path for the resistance band totravel freely within the carriage 116. It is further contemplated thatin another embodiment, the resistance band 126 does not travel throughthe carriage but instead extends up through the gap 152 of the verticalrail member 110 and is guided by annular elements extending from thecarriage 116. It is also contemplated that several resistance bands 126may extend within one vertical rail member 110 and from one carriage 116to provide more tension than otherwise may be provided by a singleresistance band 126.

FIG. 6 is a cutaway view of the attachment of the vertical rail member110 to the first side 104 of the doorway 102. It is contemplated thatthe vertical rail member 110 may lie against and parallel to the firstside 104 of the doorway 102. It is understood that a threaded fastener170 may have an arrangement of threads for anchoring the vertical railmember 110 to the first side 104 of the doorway 102. Additionally, thethreaded fastener 170 may have a pointed tip for penetrating the firstside 104 of the doorway 102. In one embodiment of the present invention,a recess 172 may exist within the vertical rail member 110 such that athreaded fastener 170 may fit within, the threaded fastener beingsubstantially flush with the inner wall 154 of the vertical rail member110 allowing for clearance of the carriage 116. It is also understoodthat the second vertical rail member 114 may be attached to the secondside 106 of the doorway 102 by similar means.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, two threadedfasteners 170 are used to anchor the first vertical rail member 112 tothe first side 104 of the doorway 102 and two threaded fasteners 170 areused to anchor the second vertical rail member 114 to the second side106 of the doorway 102. It is contemplated that the threaded fasteners170 are placed at opposing ends of the vertical rail members 110. It isalso understood that any number of threaded fasteners 170 may be used toanchor the vertical rail member 110 to the doorway 102. In anotherembodiment the vertical rail member 110 may be attached or fixed to arigid surface such as vertical wall. Additionally, it is also understoodthat the vertical rail member 110 may be attached or fixed to a doorway102 or other rigid surface by a means other than a threaded fastenersuch as a clamp or an adhesive or any other means capable anchoring thevertical rail member 110 to a rigid surface.

With reference to FIGS. 7, 8, and 9, in a preferred embodiment, anathletic accessory 140 may be attached to the resistance band 126 by aspring loaded clip 138 engaged with a catch member 136 as describedabove. In another embodiment, it is contemplated that that theresistance band be attached to the athletic accessory 140 by a carabinerclip or a clamp. It is also contemplated that the resistance band 126may be attachable to the athletic accessory 140 by any other means inwhich the resistance band 126 may be connected and disconnected from theathletic accessory 140 with minimum effort.

More specifically, in one embodiment of the invention, the athleticaccessory 140 attached to the resistance band 126 may be a hand grip142, as seen in FIG. 7. It is contemplated that the hand grip 142 mayhave an attachment area 176 capable of receiving the spring loaded clip138 attached to the resistance band 126. The hand grip 142 may also havea gripping area 174 used for gripping and pulling on the hand grip 142to apply an axial force on the resistance band 126. It is understoodthat the hand grip 142 may take any shape or form, such as a rope or arod, capable of being gripped and attached to a resistance band 126. Itis further understood that in other embodiments of the presentinvention, the hand grip 142 may be attached to the resistance band 126by other means such a carabiner clip, or any other mean in which thehand grip 142 may be connected and disconnected from the resistance band126 with minimum effort.

In another embodiment, the athletic accessory 140 attached to theresistance band 126 may be a belt 178, as seen in FIG. 8. It is furthercontemplated that the belt 178 may have a left side 180 and a right side182, each side capable of receiving a spring loaded clip 138 attached toa resistance band 126. In one embodiment of the invention, the belt 178may be used to wrap around the waist area of the user. In this mannerthe user may apply a force on the resistance bands 126 by moving theirbody relative to the exercise device 100. In a different embodiment, thebelt 178 may be wrapped around an appendage such as the leg of a user.It is understood that the belt 178 may be attached to the resistancebands 126 by a carabiner clip or any other means in which the belt 178can be connected and disconnected from the resistance bands 126 withminimum effort. It is further understood that the belt 178 may be usedwith attachment to only one resistance band 126. It is contemplated thatthe fastening mechanism on the belt 178 be a belt buckle but it isunderstood that the belt 178 may fasten by other means such as Velcro.

In another embodiment, the athletic accessory 140 attached to theresistance band 126 may be a crossbar 144 as seen in FIG. 9. It iscontemplated that the crossbar may have a left side 184 and a right side186. It is further contemplated that the left side 184 and right side186 be capable of receiving a spring loaded clip 138 attached to aresistance band 126. In this manner, a user may grip the crossbar 144with both hands, each hand on opposing sides of the crossbar 144. Withthe crossbar 144 gripped, the user may apply a force such that theattached resistance bands 126 each experience a tensile force. It isunderstood that the crossbar 144 may be attachable to the resistancebands 126 by other means such as a carabiner clip, or any other means inwhich the crossbar can be connected and disconnected from the resistanceband 126 with minimum effort. It is also contemplated that the crossbar144 may have a curvature or take any other form capable of being grippedby both hands of the user.

It is to be understood that any combination of athletic accessories 140may be attached to the exercise device 100. For example, it iscontemplated that the first resistance band 128 and the secondresistance band 130 may each be attached to a hand grip 142 at theirprimary ends 132. It is further contemplated that the first resistanceband 128 and second resistance band 130 may both be attached to acrossbar 144 and their secondary ends 134. It is also understood thatthe resistance bands 126 may be attached to athletic accessories not nowknown or not explicitly enumerated herein.

In one embodiment of the invention, the exercise device 100 furtherincludes a pull-up bar 146 as seen in FIG. 1. It is contemplated thatthe pull-bar 146 has an internal mechanism for causing vibration.Studies have shown that vibration in exercise equipment is beneficial inthat it enhances results. In other embodiments, the pull-up bar 146 maybe devoid of a vibrating mechanism. It is contemplated that the pull-upbar 146 extend between the first vertical rail member 112 and the secondvertical rail member 114, having a perpendicular relationship with thefirst vertical rail member 112 and the second vertical rail member 114and a parallel relationship with the header 108 of the doorway 102.

In one embodiment of the invention, the pull-up bar 146 is capable ofbecoming fixed to the vertical rail member 110 with a clamp. In anotherembodiment of the invention, the pull-up bar may become fixed to thevertical rail member 110 by becoming wedged within the gap 152 andprotrusion 150 of the vertical rail member 110. It is understood thatthe pull-up bar may alternatively be attached to the first side 104 ofthe doorway 102 and the second side 106 of the doorway 102 by means suchas, but not limited to, a clamp. It is further understood that thepull-up bar may be placed at any location along the first vertical railmember 114 and second vertical rail member 112, while retaining theparallel relationship to the header 108.

Referring now specifically to FIG. 10, there is shown another embodimentof an exercise device 200. The exercise device 200 includes first andsecond vertical rail members 212, 214 which engage with respective onesof the first and second sides 104, 106 of a door frame. First and secondcarriages 218, 222 engage with respective ones of the first and secondvertical rail members 212, 214. The carriages 218, 222 are slidablyengageable with the first and second vertical rail members 212, 214 in amanner similar to the engagement between the carriages 118, 122 withfirst and second vertical rail members 112, 114 discussed above inrelation to the first embodiment 100.

The second embodiment includes a first resistance band 226 coupled tothe first carriage 218 and a second resistance band 228 coupled to thesecond carriage 222. The primary distinction between the firstembodiment of the exercise device 100 depicted in FIG. 1 and the secondembodiment of the exercise device 200 depicted in FIG. 10 is that eachresistance band is coupled to a single carriage, rather than extendingthrough a pair of carriages. Furthermore, the resistance bands 226, 228of the second embodiment of the exercise device 200 preferably do notextend through the vertical rail members 212, 214. Instead, eachcarriage includes an anchoring element 225 to which the resistance bands226, 228 may be attached. In the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG.10, the anchoring element 225 includes a ring to which the resistancebands 226, 228 may be clipped, tied, or otherwise attached. However, itis understood that the carriages 218, 222 of the second embodiment maybe used with the vertical rail members 112, 114 of the first embodiment(i.e., vertical rail members configured to allow a resistance band topass therethrough) without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent invention.

Each resistance band 226, 228 includes a first end portion that iscoupled to one of the carriages 218, 222 and a second end portion thatis coupled to an athletic accessory 140. The first end portion mayinclude an attachment mechanism which facilitates connection with theanchoring element 225 of the carriage 218, 222. According to oneembodiment, the attachment mechanism includes a clip which may be easilyconnected or disconnected to the anchoring element, although otherattachment means may be used without departing from the spirit and scopeof the present invention.

The second end portion may include a second attachment mechanism whichfacilitates connection with the athletic accessory 140. For instance, aclip may be coupled to the second end portion, which may be coupled to aring or aperture formed within the athletic accessory 140. Those skilledin the art will readily appreciate that the athletic accessory 140 maybe a handle, bar, rope, or other athletic accessory commonly used in theart.

The resistance bands 226, 228 may be formed from an elastic material, aspring, a hydraulic resistance member (i.e., a hydraulic piston), otherresistance mechanisms known in the art, or a combination thereof.

In use, the user connects the resistance bands 226, 228 to the first andsecond carriages 218, 222 to perform the desired exercise. The carriages218, 222 may be selectively positioned along the respective rails 212,214 based on the height of the user, as well as the desired exercise.For instance, the carriages 218, 222 may be lowered to perform legexercises, and raised to perform arm exercises.

The amount of resistance is associated with the resistance band(s) 226,228 used during the exercise. In particular, resistance may be increasedby increasing the number or size of the bands 226, 228, and conversely,resistance may be decreased by decreasing the number and or size of thebands 226, 228.

The particulars shown herein are by way of example and for purposes ofillustrative discussion of the embodiments of the present invention onlyand are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be themost useful and readily understood description of the principles andconceptual aspects of the present invention. In this regard, no attemptis made to show structural details of the present invention in moredetail than is necessary for the fundamental understanding of thepresent invention, the description taken with the drawings makingapparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of thepresent invention may be embodied in practice.

What is claimed is:
 1. An exercise device for use in a doorway, thedoorway defined by a door frame, the doorway having a first side, asecond side parallel to the first side and a header perpendicular to andextending between the first and second sides, the exercise devicecomprising: a first vertical rail member attachable to the first side ofthe doorway; a second vertical rail member attachable to the second sideof the doorway; a first carriage slidably engaged with the firstvertical rail member, the first carriage being sized and configured tomove longitudinally along the first vertical rail member; a secondcarriage slidably engaged with the first vertical rail member, thesecond carriage being sized and configured to move longitudinally alongthe first vertical rail member; a first resistance band coupled to thefirst carriage; and a second resistance band coupled to the secondcarriage.
 2. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the first andsecond vertical rail members are sized longitudinally to span asubstantial portion of the first and the second sides of the doorway,respectively.
 3. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the first andsecond carriages each further include a locking mechanism sized andconfigured to respectively engage with the first and second verticalrail members and to selectively lock the respective one of the first andsecond carriages into place at a desired location along the first andthe second vertical rail members.
 4. The exercise device of claim 3,wherein each locking mechanism is a hand wheel clamp with an engagementmember sized and configured to respectively engage the first and secondvertical rail members, locking the first and second carriages into placeat a desired location along the first and the second vertical railmembers.
 5. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the first and secondresistance bands have a constant diameter.
 6. The exercise device ofclaim 1, wherein the first resistance band is attached to a hand grip.7. The exercise device of claim 1, further including a vibrating pull-upbar that is lockably attached to the first and second vertical railmembers, the vibrating pull-up bar extending between the first andsecond vertical rail members and in a parallel relationship with theheader of the doorway.
 8. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein thefirst and second vertical rail members are attachable to the doorwaywith threaded fasteners.
 9. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein thefirst and second resistance bands are formed from an elastomericmaterial.
 10. An exercise device for use in a doorway, the doorwaydefined by a door frame, the doorway having a first side, a second sideparallel to the first side and a header perpendicular to and extendingbetween the first and second sides, the exercise device comprising: afirst vertical rail member attachable to the first side of the doorway;a first carriage slidably engaged with the first vertical rail member,the first carriage being sized and configured to move longitudinallyalong the first vertical rail member; and a first resistance bandcoupled to the first carriage.
 11. The exercise device of claim 10,wherein the first vertical rail member is sized longitudinally to span asubstantial portion of the first side of the doorway.
 12. The exercisedevice of claim 10, wherein the first carriage further includes alocking mechanism sized and configured to engage with the first verticalrail member, locking the first carriages into place at a desiredlocation along the first vertical rail member.
 13. The exercise deviceof claim 12, wherein the locking mechanism is a hand wheel clamp with anengagement member sized and configured to engage the first vertical railmember, locking the first carriage into place at a desired locationalong the first vertical rail member.
 14. The exercise device of claim10, wherein the first resistance band has a constant diameter.
 15. Theexercise device of claim 10, wherein the first resistance band isattached to a hand grip.
 16. The exercise device of claim 10, furtherincluding a vibrating pull-up bar that is lockably attached to the firstvertical rail member.
 17. The exercise device of claim 10, wherein thefirst vertical rail member is attachable to the doorway with threadedfasteners.
 18. The exercise device of claim 10, wherein the firstresistance band is formed from an elastomeric material.
 19. A method ofconfiguring an exercise device in a doorway, the doorway defined by adoor frame, the doorway having a first side and a second side parallelto the first side and a header perpendicular to and extending betweenthe first and second sides, the method comprising: fixing a firstvertical rail member to the first side of the doorway; fixing a secondvertical rail member to the second side of the doorway; fixing a firstcarriage along the first vertical rail member, the first carriage slidlongitudinally along the first vertical rail member and locked intoplace at a desired location by a locking mechanism; fixing a secondcarriage along the first vertical rail member, the second carriage slidlongitudinally along the first vertical rail member and locked intoplace at a desired location by a locking mechanism; engaging a firstresistance band with the first carriage; and engaging a secondresistance band with a second carriage.
 20. A method as recited in claim19, further comprising: attaching a hand grip to the first resistanceband.